EP2602197A1 - Method and device for labelling containers with stretch sleeves - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus (1) has spreading units (6) for spreading labeling sleeves (3) and lifting units. The lifting units are arranged to move to a feed position in which containers are passed upright on the lifting units. The container is lifted by lifting unit to labeling position in which the spread label sleeves are positioned on the container. The lifting unit is moved to removal position from which the labeled container is removed. An independent claim is included for method for labeling container.

Description

The invention relates to a device and a method for labeling containers with label sleeves, in particular elastic label sleeves.

Containers, such as beverage bottles, can be labeled, inter alia, by pulling tubular film sleeves over the container jacket surface. This describes the WO 2008/076718 in particular for the labeling of curved container casing surfaces with highly elastic film sleeves a labeling device with circumferential spreading units, in which a plurality of substantially parallel to each other and circumferentially grouped around a central recess spreading fingers are provided. The spreader fingers are radially displaceable with respect to the central recess and can be moved apart so far that a film sleeve placed over the spreader fingers is stretched by the spreader fingers and a bottle to be labeled can be pushed upwards through the central recess. The film sleeve is first fixed by suction on the spreading fingers and then repelled by compressed air, so that the bottle can be grasped on a support ring in the mouth area and withdrawn with the label up from the spreading fingers. This removal, as well as the subsequent onward transport of the labeled bottle, takes place in the neck handling.

However, such neckhandling is not practical for all types of containers. For example, bottles with thin-walled mouth region and / or bottles, on which no stable retaining ring is formed, can not be reliably gripped and removed by this method.

There is therefore a need for improved labeling devices and labeling methods in this regard.

The object is achieved with a device for labeling containers with label sleeves according to claim 1. Accordingly, this spreader units comprises for spreading the label sleeves and lifting units, which are formed: for approaching a loading position at which the containers can be transferred upright to the lifting units; for lifting the containers to a labeling position in which the containers are positioned in the spread label sleeves; and for approaching a removal position for the removal of the labeled containers.

With the help of the lifting units according to the invention, a removal position can be approached, which allows a transfer of the labeled container in the base handling. This is to be understood as a container transfer, in which the containers are supported and guided in the base region and / or in the region of the side wall. In contrast, the containers hang in neck handling at their mouth area. The label sleeves are in particular stretchable label sleeves, so-called stretch sleeves, which can be spread particularly well for labeling. In principle, however, a labeling according to the invention with label sleeves for sticking and / or shrinking is conceivable. In the labeling position, an area of the containers to be labeled overlaps by definition with the spread label sleeve.

Preferably, the lifting units comprise telescopic lifting rods. As a result, the hub can be realized in a particularly space-saving manner. Accordingly, a particularly large stroke can be generated.

Preferably, the lifting rods are telescopic at least between the labeling position and the removal position. This allows a particularly compact design of the lifting units for the required stroke in the label transfer to the container in the base handling. Further, telescoping between the labeling position and the picking position can be combined with conventional and / or existing cam controls for the stroke between the loading position and the labeling position.

In a favorable embodiment of the device according to the invention, the labeling position is between the loading position and the removal position. Here, the positions are each defined as stroke positions in which the containers are transported at a respective corresponding height level. This allows labeling in which the container to be labeled is threaded through a provided in the spreader central recess. Thus, the device according to the invention can be incorporated into existing plant concepts with little technical effort.

In a further favorable embodiment of the device according to the invention, the removal position and the loading position are below the labeling position, in particular at the same height level. This allows a particularly compact labeling. In particular, the total stroke necessary for approaching the loading position, the labeling position and the removal position can be reduced. By loading and unloading the containers at the same height level, handling of the containers in the continuous base handling is made easier.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention further comprises clamping units for clamping an upper portion of the label sleeves on the arranged in the labeling position containers. This allows a reliable and positionally accurate transfer of label sleeves from the spreader units to the container.

Preferably, the clamping units can be driven together, in particular synchronously, with the lifting units from the labeling position into a take-over position in which the containers have frictionally taken over the label sleeves from the spreading units. Thereby, a correct position of the label sleeve during the transfer of the spreader units to the container at least until a time when the label sleeve is already firmly seated on the containers, be ensured. Preferably, the label sleeves are clamped by the clamping units until the complete removal of the label sleeves of the spreader units. However, this is not absolutely necessary.

In particular, if the upper end of the labels is located in the conical shoulder region of the container, the clamping unit alone can not apply the necessary frictional engagement. In this case, the clamping units can only hang from the top of the bottle shoulder and must be able to brace relative to the lifting units against their stroke direction to clamp the label sleeves by frictional engagement. Here, the tension of the clamping units is particularly adjustable. By clamping the lifting units and the clamping units relative to each other, a predetermined contact pressure between the clamping units and the voltage applied to the containers label sleeves can be exercised. In this case, the contact pressure could be adjusted as a function of material properties of the container and / or the label sleeves. For example, the contact pressure can be adapted to the rigidity of the container wall. This is particularly advantageous for thin-walled plastic containers. Likewise, the contact pressure could be set to different heights in different sections of the label transfer of the spreading fingers to the container. For example, in an initial phase in which the frictional forces between the label sleeve and the spreader units are comparatively large, the contact pressure could be set higher than in a final phase of peeling off the label sleeves from the spreader units, in which the frictional forces between the label sleeves and the spreader units are reduced are.

Preferably, a monitoring unit for monitoring a relative position of the clamping units with respect to the lifting units and / or between the clamping units and provided the containers ruling contact pressure. As a result, for example, a faulty labeling can be avoided. For example, could be closed when a predetermined contact pressure falls short on the absence of a container to be labeled. In addition, a monitoring of the contact pressure and / or the positions enables a dynamic adaptation and / or readjustment of the lifting units and / or the clamping units. In particular, electrically controllable drives for the lifting units and / or the clamping units are suitable for this purpose.

Preferably, the stroke of the lifting rods and / or the lifting units is adjustable, in particular by means of an electrical control unit. For example, individually adjustable programs for moving the lifting units and / or the clamping units could be provided. As a result, the correct positioning of the label sleeves and / or the labeling quality during operation can also be adapted to changing conditions. For example, parameters for longitudinal stretching of the label sleeves and for the correct labeling height with respect to the containers could be readjusted.

1. a) Absetzen der Behälter auf Hubeinheiten in einer Beschickungsposition;
2. b) Spreizen der Etikettenhülsen;
3. c) Anheben der Behälter in eine Etikettierposition, in der die Behälter in den gespreizten Etikettenhülsen positioniert sind;
4. d) Aufziehen der Etikettenhülsen auf die Behälter; und
5. e) Anheben oder Absenken der etikettierten Behälter mit den Hubeinheiten in eine Entnahmeposition.

The object is further achieved with a method for labeling containers with label sleeves, in particular expandable label sleeves, according to claim 11. Accordingly, this comprises the steps:

1. a) placing the containers on lifting units in a loading position;
2. b) spreading the label sleeves;
3. c) lifting the containers into a labeling position in which the containers are positioned in the spread label sleeves;
4. d) mounting the label sleeves on the containers; and
5. e) raising or lowering the labeled containers with the lifting units in a removal position.

Preferably, the labeled containers are removed in the base handling. As a result, even thin-walled containers, on which no suitable support ring is provided, can be reliably and accurately labeled with the aid of label sleeves. However, a removal in basal handling is not absolutely necessary for the process according to the invention. The labeled containers could also be taken in neckhandling.

Preferably, the lifting units are telescoped at least in step e).

In a favorable embodiment of the method according to the invention, the spreader units are spread further when approaching the removal position, as in the labeling position. This is particularly advantageous in a configuration in which both the loading position and the removal position are below the labeling position. In other words, after labeling, the containers are then threaded down through the spreader unit. In this case, damage to the attached label can be avoided by increasing the distance between the expansion segments provided on the spreader units and the lateral container wall.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the loading position below the labeling position and the removal position above the labeling position, and the container is moved between the loading position and the removal position by superposition of two coaxial strokes. As a result, the overall height of the labeling device according to the invention can be reduced. The coaxial strokes could be realized for example by a double telescopic lifting rod. Likewise, the coaxial strokes can be realized by the combination of a telescopic movement and a separate drive, such as a cam control. For example, the base of the lifting unit could be raised and lowered by means of a cam control or a servomotor, while an additional coaxial stroke is effected by telescoping the lifting rod with respect to the base of the lifting unit.

By contrast, if the loading position and the removal position are each below the labeling position, the containers between these positions are preferably lifted and lowered by telescoping the lifting units, in particular exclusively by telescoping. This allows a particularly simple and precisely controlled lifting movement of the container between said positions. For example, it is possible to reduce tolerances which would result from the overlapping of different lifting mechanisms. The labeling can thus be carried out with very little space and with particularly high positioning accuracy of the label sleeves.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine erfindungsgemäße Etikettiervorrichtung;

Fig. 2

einen schematischen Querschnitt durch eine erfindungsgemäße Etikettierstation einer ersten Ausführungsform zu unterschiedlichen Zeitpunkten der Etikettierung;

Fig. 3

einen schematischen Längsschnitt durch eine Gruppe erfindungsgemäßer Etikettierstationen einer zweiten Ausführungsform; und

Fig. 4

einen schematischen Längsschnitt durch eine Gruppe erfindungsgemäßer Etikettierstationen einer dritten Ausführungsform.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic plan view of a labeling device according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a schematic cross section through a labeling station according to the invention of a first embodiment at different times of labeling;

Fig. 3

a schematic longitudinal section through a group of inventive labeling of a second embodiment; and

Fig. 4

a schematic longitudinal section through a group of inventive labeling of a third embodiment.

As Fig. 1 can recognize the device 1 according to the invention for labeling containers 2 with label sleeves 3 a Etikettierrad 4, on the circumferentially evenly distributed labeling stations 5 are provided. These comprise schematically indicated spreader units 6 for spreading the label sleeves 3, so that the containers 2 to be labeled can be pushed from below into the spread label sleeves 3 through a central recess of the spreader units 6.

As the FIG. 2 can recognize the labeling 5 further comprise lifting units 7 for lifting the container 2 in the base handling and clamping units 8 for clamping the label sleeves 3 on the containers 2 in a labeling position 9, in which the containers 2 are arranged within the spreader units 6. These include schematically indicated expansion segments 6a, which are circumferentially grouped around the central recess of the spreader units 6 and with respect to this radially displaceable.

The Fig. 2 shows a labeling station 5 with the container 2 at the positions V and VI in the labeling position 9, at the positions I to III in a lower loading position 10, and at the positions VII and VIII at an upper removal position 11. The transport direction 4a of the labeling station. 5 points in the FIG. 2 each out of the drawing level. For the sake of completeness, a label dispenser 12 is shown in the position I, with which the label sleeves 3 are separated in known manner from a film tube and shot over the expansion segments 6a.

In the FIG. 1 Furthermore, for the sake of completeness, an infeed starwheel 13 for providing the containers 2 to be labeled on the lifting unit 7 and an outlet starwheel 14 for removing the labeled containers 2 from the lifting unit 7. Inlet starwheels 13 and outlet starwheels 14 or other suitable transfer devices for the containers 2 are made known in the prior art and therefore not described in detail. In the FIG. 1 Furthermore, a control unit 15 is shown, with which can be controlled for example on the Etikettierrad 4 with rotating drives for the spreader units 6, the lifting units 7 and / or the clamping units 8.

The FIG. 2 shows at the position I a state of the labeling station 5 when slipping a label sleeve 3 on the spreading unit 6 and when feeding a container 2 with the inlet star wheel 13, wherein the container 2 upright, so in the basal handling, is placed on the lifting unit 7. This comprises a base section 7a and a lifting rod 7b which can be telescoped relative to the base section 7a. The base portion 7a is raised and lowered, for example, via a schematically indicated cam control 17. This comprises a cam roller 17a fastened to the base section 7a and a fixed control cam 17b. The lifting rod 7b is in position I in a retracted position.

At position II shows the Fig. 2 a state in which the label sleeve 3 is already partially expanded by the spreader unit 6, and in which the container 2 is laterally guided by a guide unit 16 provided on the labeling station 5 to transfer the container 2 from the infeed starwheel 13 to the lifting unit 7 , The only schematically indicated guide unit 16 may comprise for this purpose pivotable guide shells which are closed for lateral guidance of the container 2 to this and thereby form a vertical guide channel.

At position III of the Fig. 2 a state is shown in which the label sleeve 3 is stretched on the spreader unit 6 so far that the container 2 can be raised standing on the lifting unit 7 and guided by the guide unit 16 in the spreading unit 6.

The position IV shows a state in which the container 2 has been raised from the loading position 10 in the direction of the labeling position 9. It can be seen here that only the base section 7a has been lifted by means of the cam control 17. The lifting rod 7b is still in a retracted position at position IV. However, it would also be possible to generate the stroke by telescoping the lifting unit 7.

At position V of the Fig. 2 a state is shown where the container 2 has reached the labeling position 9 and the lifting rod 7b has been partly driven out of the base portion 7a. Starting from the loading position 10, a stroke 18 is achieved up to the labeling position 9 by adding the stroke 18a of the base portion 7a and the stroke 18b of the lifting rod 7b. However, it would also be conceivable to approach the labeling position 9 only with the aid of the stroke 18a of the base portion 7a and, for example, to realize a stroke beyond that into the removal position 11 with the stroke 18b of the lifting rod 7b.

At the position VI, the expansion segments 6a of the expansion unit 6 are shown in a position in which they are moved together so far on the container side wall that the label sleeve 3 can be passed by frictional engagement with the container 2 and then lifting the container 2 to this. For this purpose, the clamping unit 8 in a position in which it frictionally clamps an upper portion 3a of the label sleeve 3 by a contact pressure 8a against the stroke direction 7c of the lifting unit 7 and / or obliquely to the stroke direction 7c on the container 2. The clamping unit 8 may suitably comprise adjustable levers, joints, jaws and the like, which in the FIG. 2 are indicated only schematically.

The clamping unit 8 is designed such that it can be raised together with the lifting unit 7, in particular synchronously, while maintaining a suitable contact pressure 8a acting counter to the lifting direction 7c and / or obliquely to the lifting direction 7c. This preferably takes place at least up to a transfer position (not shown), in which the container 2 has completely taken over the label sleeve 3 from the spreader unit 6 by means of frictional engagement. The relative position of the clamping unit 8 on the lifting unit 7 and / or the contact pressure 8a can be monitored by means of conventional sensors and readjust for example from the control unit 15 via a drive motor of the clamping unit 8.

Like position VII of the Fig. 2 indicates, the clamping unit 8 of the lifting movement 7c of the lifting unit 7 optionally follow to the removal position 11. As a result, slippage of the label sleeve 3 relative to the container 2 during removal of the label sleeve 3 from the spreader units 6 until reaching the removal position 11 can be ensured particularly reliably.

The position VIII of Fig. 2 shows the transfer of the labeled container 2 in the base handling of the outlet star wheel 14, to which a support plate 14a is indicated for schematically illustrating the base handling.

Thus, the container 2 can be held and guided continuously in the base handling during feeding, labeling and forwarding. As based on the Figures 3 and 4 will be explained below, so that a shrinkage and leakage of the container 2 at the same height level 20 is possible.

The Figures 3 and 4 each show five successively arranged labeling 5, which move together on the Etikettierrad 4 in the transport direction 4a. The Figures 3 and 4 thus show a longitudinal section through the labeling stations 5 in a settlement of the circumferential line of the Etikettierrads 4. Here are the differences Figures 3 and 4 essentially in that the stroke 18 between the loading position 10 and the labeling position 9 and the stroke 19 between the labeling position 9 and the removal position 11 in the FIG. 3 is realized exclusively by telescoping the lifting units 7, whereas the corresponding strokes 18, 19 of the container 2 in the FIG. 4 be realized by means of a cam control 17. In both cases, the loading position 10 and the removal position 11 are arranged below the labeling position 9. Thus, the containers 2 can each be supplied below the spreader units 6 and removed. As in the Figures 3 and 4 Furthermore, this is preferably, but not necessarily, at the same height level 20. Thus, the labeling invention 1 can be particularly space-saving and easy to adjacent treatment units, such as blowing machines and / or filling machines connect.

Before lowering the already labeled container 2 from the spreader units 6, these are preferably spread in relation to the labeling position 9 in order to avoid damaging the attached labels. This is in the Figures 3 and 4 indicated by the double arrow 6b.

According to the invention it is also possible in the Figures 3 and 4 shown lifting movements 18, 19 to realize both by telescoping the lifting rod 7b and by raising the base portion 7a. Particularly advantageous, however, is the variant of FIG. 3 in which the strokes 18, 19 are generated exclusively by the telescoping of the lifting unit 7. This allows a particularly flexible adjustment of the timing and a particularly flexible control of the lifting units 7 depending on different types of containers, label sleeves and changing production conditions during ongoing labeling. For this purpose, the lifting units 7 are preferably electrically controllable, so that the end positions and travel paths of the lifting units 7 can be adjusted, for example, by programming the associated control unit 15.

An exclusive telescoping of the lifting units 7 would also be in the in the Fig. 2 variant shown conceivable in which the labeling position 9 between the loading position 10 and the removal position 11 is arranged. In this case, for example, at least two coaxial lifting movements would be carried out. For example, two telescoping telescopes could be provided on the lifting units 7 for this purpose. The lifting units 7 are preferably driven hydraulically, electrically or pneumatically. With the help of an electric Control, for example, the control unit 15, can be flexibly define customizable lift curves and adjust if necessary to changing production conditions.

Electrically controllable lifting units 7 have the advantage, in particular in connection with electrically controllable clamping units 8, that both the lifting curves and the contact pressure 8a between the clamping units 8 and the containers 7 standing on the lifting units 2 can be monitored and readjusted if necessary, also individually for individual labeling stations 5.

A monitoring unit (not shown) could, for example, monitor the contact pressure 8a and conclude from a too low contact pressure that no properly supplied container 2 is present in the relevant labeling station 5. If such an error is detected, for example, the labeling can be interrupted. As a result, mislabelling and damage to the labeling device 1 can be avoided.

The clamping unit 8 preferably comprises an elastic contact area for the label 3, for example of rubber, silicone or the like, to produce a frictional connection with the label sleeve 3 to be fixed. For this purpose, the clamping unit 8 could be annular in the contact area with the container 2, for example, and / or comprise actively adjustable pressing jaws or the like. The contact region of the clamping units 8 is preferably designed so that a contact pressure against and / or obliquely to the stroke direction 7c of the lifting units 7 on the container 2 and the label sleeve 3 can be exercised. This allows both a clamping of the label sleeve 3 on the container 2, as well as a stabilization of the upright container position on the lifting unit 7. This allows the positioning accuracy in the transfer of label sleeves 3 to the container 2 increase.

As the FIG. 1 can be seen, the labeling device 1 according to the invention is preferably designed as a rotary. However, it would also be a linear transport path with labeling 5 conceivable and / or a clocked operation. The in the Fig. 1 However, the rotary variant shown has the advantage that it allows a comparatively high engine power to label a continuous container flow.

The described embodiments and Hubvarianten can be combined arbitrarily in a technically meaningful way. For labeling with the device 1 according to the invention and the described labeling in the base handling are any container such as beverage bottles. This is particularly advantageous in plastic containers, in particular thin-walled plastic containers and / or containers without a support ring, which can not or can not be grasped with sufficient accuracy in neck handling.

Claims (15)

Device for labeling containers (2), in particular with flexible label sleeves (3), comprising spreading units (6) for spreading the label sleeves and lifting units (7), which are formed: - To start a feed position (10) at which the containers can be handed upright to the lifting units; - For lifting the container in a labeling position (9), in which the containers are positioned in the spread label sleeves; and - For approaching a removal position (11) for the removal of the labeled containers. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lifting units (7) comprise telescopic lifting rods (7b). Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the lifting rods (7b) are telescopic at least between the labeling position (9) and the removal position (11). Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the height of the labeling position (9) lies between the loading position (10) and the removal position (11). Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the height of the removal position (11) and the loading position (10) are below the labeling position (9), in particular at the same height level (20). Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, further comprising clamping units (8) for clamping an upper portion (3a) of the label sleeves (3) on the containers (2) in the labeling position (9). Device according to claim 6, wherein the clamping units (8) can be driven together, in particular synchronously, with the lifting units (7) from the labeling position (9) to at least a transfer position, in which the containers (2) remove the label sleeves (3) from the spreader units (6) have taken frictional. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the clamping units (8) relative to the lifting units (7) against the lifting direction (7c) of the lifting units can be braced to clamp the label sleeve (3) by means of frictional engagement, the tension of the clamping units in particular adjustable is. Device according to one of claims 6 to 8, further comprising a monitoring unit for monitoring a relative position of the clamping units (8) with respect to the lifting units (7) and / or between the clamping units and the containers (2) prevailing contact pressure (8a). Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the stroke (18b, 18) of the lifting units (7), and in particular the stroke of lift rods (7b) provided on the lifting units, is adjustable by means of an electrical control unit (15). Method for labeling containers (2) with label sleeves (3), comprising the steps of: a) settling the containers on lifting units (7) in a loading position (10); b) spreading the label sleeves; c) lifting the containers into a labeling position (9) in which the containers are positioned in the spread label sleeves; d) mounting the label sleeves on the containers; and e) raising or lowering the labeled container with the lifting units in a removal position (11). Method according to claim 11, wherein the lifting units (7) are telescoped at least in step e). The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein the labeled containers (2) are removed in the basal handling. Method according to at least one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the spreader units (6) are spread further when approaching the removal position (11) than in the labeling position (9). Method according to at least one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the loading position (10) below the labeling position (9) and the removal position (11) are above the labeling position, and the container (2) between the loading position and the removal position by superposition of two coaxial Strokes (18a, 18b) is moved.

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